Agitating device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for agitating liquids which may include foodstuffs and which includes a generally horizontal member which has depending therefrom a first axis and a second axis each of which is carried for rotation with respect to the generally horizontal member. Rollers are carried for rotation about each axis and for engaging the sides of a kettle. A shaft also depends from the generally horizontal member. Means are provided for selectively rotating the second axis and the second shaft which includes a generally planar member at the end thereof for agitating a fluid within the kettle.

Unite States Patent [1 1 Wallman 51 Sept. 16, 1975 1 AGITATING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Leslie B. Wal1man, l8 Dogwood Cir., Matawan, NJ. 07747 [22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1974 [21] Appl No.: 512,358

[52] U.S. Cl. 259/111; 99/348; 416/65 [51] Int. Cl. B01F 7/30 [58] Field of Search 259/102, 111, 112, 113,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,479,584 l/l924 Conklin 259/102 1,913,189 6/1933 Carboncl 259/102 2,719,703 10/1955 Boakes 259/118 2,962,267 11/1960 Scarioni 259/118 3,697,053 10/1972 Will 99/348 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Jenkins [5 7 ABSTRACT Apparatus for agitating liquids which may include foodstuffs and which includes a generally horizontal member which has depending therefrom a first axis and a second axis each of which is carried for rotation with respect to the generally horizontal member. Rollers are carried for rotation about each axis and for engaging the sides of a kettle. A shaft also depends from the generally horizontal member. Means are provided for selectively rotating the second axis and the second shaft which includes a generally planar memher at the end thereof for agitating a fluid within the kettle.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures.

PATENTEB SEP'] 6 i975 Fig. l

which require a slow movement of a liquid and which 7 typically must be accomplished while the liquid is being heated on the stove.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide apparatus for agitating a liquid which may be fastened on the side of a wide range of kettle sizes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus which is particularly suited for stirring pasta and which will however have application to a variety of other'stirring applications which in general require a relatively slow movement of a liquid.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus which is particularly suited for use on a kettle which is disposed on a stove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that these and other objects of the invention may be satisfied by: agitating apparatus which includes an elongated generally horizontal member which has depending therefrom a first axis and a second axis, each being carried by the generally horizontal member for rotation. Means are provided for selectively securing the first axis throughout a range of axially aligned positions on the generally horizontal elongated member. Rollers are carried on each axis and the roller on said first axis is mounted for rotation about from the generally horizontal member and is carried for rotation on that member about the axis thereof, a shaft also depends from the generally horizontal member and is carried for rotation about the axis thereof. The shaft has a generally planar member disposed on the end thereof most remote from the generally horizontal member. Drive means are provided for rotating the second roller and the shaft selectively.

In one form the means for selectively securing the first axis comprises a slot in the generally horizontal member and a threaded fastener which engages the axis and the slot of the generally horizontal member. The means for driving may comprise a motor having a shaft which is axially aligned with the second axis and a belt drive may be provided to rotate the shaft. The generally planar member carried on the shaft may be offset from the axis of the shaft to provide the desired agitation of liquid. The shaft ordinarily will comprise concentric sections which may be selectively positioned with the varying axial portions thereof in nesting relationship to vary the effective length of the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view in partial section of the apparatus in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION oFf A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 7 Referring now to FIGS. and 2 the apparatus 10 in accordance withthe invention' in'clud'es agenerally horizon'tal. member'12 which-hasfiepending therefrom a first'a'xis 1 4 and a second axis 16. The first axis may be moved axially with respect tothe elongated generally horizontal member 12 by means of a'slot 18 which is dimensioned and configured for engagement by' a wing nut 20 anda stud 22'wliich' extended from the end of the" first axis"14.' Carr ied for rotationabout the other end of axis 14 is a roller 24 which in one form of the invention will be manufactured of rubber. A second roller 26 is fixed to the second shaft 16 so that no relative angular motion occurs therebetween. The second shaft 16 in one form of the invention is driven by means of a motor 28 which has a drive shaft 30 which has a center line which is in aligned relationship to the center line of the second axis 16. In other forms of the invention a single shaft will be utilized and it will be understood that in the form described hereinbefore that the shafts 30 and 16 are in abutting aligned relationship and secured to each other so that no angular movement therebetween is possible. A sheave 32 is fixed to the second axis 16 and engages a belt 34 which in turn engages a second sheave 36 carried on an adjustable shaft assembly 38. The shaft assembly 38 comprises concentric portions 40 and 42 which may be selectively positioned with axial portions thereof in nesting relationship. The shaft assembly 38 is carried by means of a bearing 42 for rotation with respect to the generally horizontal member 12. A wing nut 44 and stud 46 are provided together with a yoke member 48 to prevent axial movement of the shaft assembly 38. The generally horizontal member 12 is provided with a bearing 50 which in form shown comprises a ball carried on a base. In other forms of the invention suitable for use with other kettles not having generally planar upper surface for engagement with a fall it will be desirable to use a different type of bearing and more particularly a bearing manufactured in a generally planar form. The material may be the product sold commercially under the trademark of the DuPont Company Teflon.

In operation it will be seen that the motor which is covered by a housing 52 drives the roller 26 and the shaft 38. Accordingly the tire agitating apparatus 10 is urged about the periphery of the kettle 60. Simultaneously the shaft assembly 38 is rotated and accordingly therewith a generally planar stirring member 62 agitates the liquid 64 carried within the kettle 60. The selective drive of the generally planar stirring member 62 is controlled by means of a clutch mechanism which includes an arm 64, springs 66 and a roller 68. The member 62 may be offset from the axis about which it turns.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. Agitating apparatus which comprises: an elongated generally horizontal member, a first axis and a second axis each being elongated and depending from said generally horizontal member. means for selectively securing said first axis to said generally horizontal member throughout a range of axially aligned positions, a first roller carried on said first axis for rotation thereabout and a second roller fixed to said second axis, a shaft depending from said generally horizontal elongated member for rotation about the axis thereof, said shaft having a generally lanar disposed at the end thereto. I r

4. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said means for driving further comprisesa belt drivefor rotating said shaft. i

5. The apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said generally-planar member-is offset radially from the'axis of rotation of said shaft. 6. The apparatus as described-in claims wherein said shaft comprises concentric sections selectively adjust-' thereof.

able to vary'the .length 

1. Agitating apparatus which comprises: an elongated generally horizontal member, a first axis and a second axis each being elongated and depending from said generally horizontal member, means for selectively securing said first axis to said generally horizontal member throughout a range of axially aligned positions, a first roller carried on said first axis for rotation thereabout and a second roller fixed to said second axis, a shaft depending from said generally horizontal elongated member for rotation about the axis thereof, said shaft having a generally planar disposed at the end thereof most remote from said generally horizontal member, and means for rotating said second roller and said shaft.
 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively securing said firsT axis comprises a slot disposed in said generally horizontal planar member and a threaded fastener for securing said first axis.
 3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said means for driving comprises a motor having a drive shaft which is disposed with the axis thereof in aligned relationship to said second axis and which is fixed thereto.
 4. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said means for driving further comprises a belt drive for rotating said shaft.
 5. The apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said generally planar member is offset radially from the axis of rotation of said shaft.
 6. The apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said shaft comprises concentric sections selectively adjustable to vary the length thereof. 